Nursing, PhD (BS to PhD, Health Policy focus)

The program targets the intersection of nursing and health policy, and prepares its graduates for leadership roles as policy analysts, researchers, and educators who

Analyze the historical, sociological, economic, political, and nursing perspectives of existing and proposed health policies.
Evaluate and critique health policies that influence the access, quality, and cost of health care services.
Conduct theory-guided qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research that advances knowledge of and informs innovative health policies.
Influence the development of innovative health policies at local, state, national, and international levels.

Degree Requirements

The BS-to-PhD track is a 81-credit program of study designed for outstanding baccalaureate-prepared nurses without a master’s degree. Students in the BS-to-PhD track are required to study full-time and in an intensive, accelerated program requiring completion of 12 credits in each of the student’s first four semesters. The curriculum incorporates a didactic emphasis, and a clinical specialization in oncology and health disparities is available but not required.

NOTE: Students take 4 electives. It is recommended students take electives in the spring semesters of their second and third years. At least one elective must be a research methods course.

Year 1

Year 2

Fall Semester
NURSNG 702 Doctoral Seminar (yearlong course)
NURSNG 741 Health Policy I
NURSNG 772L Seminar in Health Care Financing
Elective
Spring Semester
NURSNG 703 Health Economics
NURSNG 742 Health Policy II
NURSNG 743 Internship in Health Care Policy
Elective

Year 3

Fall Semester
NURSNG 607 Evidenced Based Teaching Practices
EHS 825 Quantitative Research Methods
Elective
Spring Semester
NURSNG 711 Scientific basis for chronic illness preventative and risk reduction
NURSNG 790 Integrating concepts & methods for research development
Elective

Year 4

Each student completes a total of 15 credit hours of dissertation work prior to dissertation defense.

Each student must pay a program fee after all courses in the plan of study have been completed.

Fall Semester
NURSNG 791 Integrating Theory and Policy in Dissertation Research (considered dissertation credits)
Fall and Spring Semesters
NURSNG 899 Dissertation Research

Year 5

Fall and Spring Semesters
NURSNG 899 Dissertation Research

Comprehensive Examination

Students take a comprehensive examination when they have completed the necessary credits. Successful performance on the comprehensive examination is a prerequisite for candidacy for the doctoral degree.

Major Advisor and the Dissertation Committee

An academic advisor is assigned for each entering PhD student to assist in course selection and curriculum progression. After the comprehensive examination is completed,

NURSNG 791 Integrating Theory and Policy in Dissertation Research

is taken, and students select their dissertation committee chair and members; the committee must be approved by the graduate program director.

NURSNG 899 Dissertation Research

dissertation credits are taken concurrently with NU 791 until 81 credits are completed.

En Route MS

An en route MS degree can be awarded after completion of 30 credits in the PhD program and successful performance on the comprehensive examination. These courses, along with others, are taken in the first two years of full-time study. Assuming students progress in their coursework as planned, they will be awarded the en route MS after successfully completing the comprehensive exam. Students need to submit a degree application form to the office of the registrar to formally request their MS degree to be awarded upon fulfilling the requirements.

Students receiving the en route MS degree will not be eligible for certification in an APN specialty without further didactic and clinical courses.

Advanced Practice Certification

Students enrolled in the nursing PhD program who wish to pursue additional coursework to apply for Advanced Practice certification (NP or CNS) after completion of the PhD will be allowed to take up to two NP courses for their elective requirements within the PhD curriculum at the discretion of their faculty advisor. Students are encouraged to discuss this option with their faculty advisor as early as possible during their PhD coursework.

Admission Requirements

Please see the general statement of admission requirements for all graduate studies programs in the “Admissions” section of this publication. Prospective graduate students in nursing will also meet these specific criteria for admission to the PhD Program in Nursing:

A clear statement of purpose and goals linked to a selected focus of study (Population Health/Policy)
three sealed references from professionals who can attest to ability
sealed transcripts of degrees earned from all colleges attended;
A copy of a practice license
A copy of a professional certification (if applicable)
A curriculum vitae/resume.

Special Instructions for PhD Program in Nursing Applicants

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from an accredited program (BS-to- PhD)
Master’s degree in Nursing or related field from an accredited program (MS-to-PhD)
Current Massachusetts Registered Nurse license or eligibility for licensure in Massachusetts if planning to practice or teach in the US
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test; GPA as well as GRE scores must demonstrate strong verbal, quantitative, and analytical potential.

Candidates are required to schedule an interview with the program director or her or his designate as part of the application process. Out-of-state candidates can be interviewed by phone or Internet.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received no later than March 31st for fall admission. Applications received after this date are considered on a space-available basis. You may find the application online: www.umb. edu/admissions/grad.